NAME : MOHAMMAD SYAFII MARKS

SECTION : A
TOPIC : 1.3 BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
DATE : OCTOBER 2015

Barriers to effective communication

Definition

Barriers to communication can be defined as the aspects or conditions that

interfere with effective exchange of ideas or thoughts. Anything that hinders the
process of communication is barriers of communication. When the sender sends a
message to the receiver, it may be possible that the receiver may not understand it in
the same sense as the sender intends to communicate it. Hence, barriers of
communication often prevents the sender and receivers from achieving mutual
understanding. Barriers can exist in the sender, in the transmission of message or in
the receiver. The following points briefly explain the barriers of communication:

A. Encoding Barriers.

The process of selecting and organizing symbols to represent a message

requires skill and knowledge. Obstacles listed below can interfere while
encoding an effective message.

1. Lack of Sensitivity to Receiver

A breakdown in communication may result when a message is not adapted to

its receiver. Recognizing the receivers needs, status, his knowledge of the

subject and his language skills assists the sender in preparing a successful

message.

For example-if a customer is angry, an effective response may be just to listen

to the person vent for a while.

2. Lack of Basic Communication Skills

The receiver is less likely to understand the message if the sender has trouble

choosing the precise words needed and arranging those words in a

grammatically correct sentence. If the sender has command over the

NAME : MOHAMMAD SYAFII
SECTION : A
TOPIC : 1.3 BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
DATE : OCTOBER 2015

communication skills it will be easier to him to encode the massage and also to

the receiver to decode the massage.

3. Insufficient Knowledge of the Subject

If the sender lacks specific information about something, the receiver will likely

receive an unclear or mixed message.

For example-if have we shopped for an item such as a computer, we must have

experienced how some salespeople can explain complicated terms and ideas

in a simple way. But a person who doesnt have complete knowledge about

computer cannot.

4. Emotional Interference

An emotional individual may not be able to communicate well. His emotion my

create problem while encoding massage. For effective communication, try to

keep the emotions out of the way until you understand what is being

communicated.

For example- If someone is angry, hostile, resentful, joyful, or fearful, that person

may be too preoccupied with emotions and this emotion my affect the encoding

of message. If you dont like someone, for example, you may have trouble

hearing them.

5. Lacking Confidence

Lacking confidence can be a major barrier to effective communication. Shyness,

difficulty being assertive, or lack of self-worth can hinder your ability to make

your needs and opinions known. Also, a lack of awareness of your own rights

and opportunities in a given situation can prevent you from expressing your

needs openly.

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NAME : MOHAMMAD SYAFII
SECTION : A
TOPIC : 1.3 BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
DATE : OCTOBER 2015

B. Transmitting Barriers:

Things that get in the way of message transmission are sometimes called

noise. Communication may be difficult because of noise and some of these

problems:

1. Physical Distractions.

This is one of the main hurdle or barrier in effective communication especially

at workplace. Other things due to which physical barrier rises may be the

environment or noise. A bad cellular phone line or a noisy restaurant can destroy

communication.

For example- If a receiver of a communication works in an area with bright lights,

glare on computer screens, loud noises, excessively hot or cold work spaces,

or physical ailments, that receiver will probably experience communication

breakdowns on a regular basis.

2. Channel Barriers

If the sender chooses an inappropriate channel of communication,

communication may be breakdown. If the channel couldnt transmit the

massage effectively then decoder couldnt understand the massage.

For example- detail instructions presented over the telephone may be frustrating

for both communicators. If you are on a computer technical support help line

discussing a problem; it would be helpful for you to be sitting in front of a

computer, as opposed to taking notes from the support staff and then returning

to your computer station. If the length of the communication is long, or the

medium selected is inappropriate, the communication might break up

3. Long Communication Chain

The longer the communication chain the greater the chance for error.

For example- if a message is passed through too many receivers, the message

often becomes distorted. If a person starts a message at one end of a

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NAME : MOHAMMAD SYAFII
SECTION : A
TOPIC : 1.3 BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
DATE : OCTOBER 2015

communication chain of ten people, the message that eventually returns is

usually liberally altered at the other end of the chain.

C. Decoding Barriers

The communication cycle may break down at the receiving end for some of

these reasons:

1. Lack of Interest

If a message reaches a reader who is not interested in the message, the reader
may read the message hurriedly or listen to the message
carelessly. Miscommunication may result in both cases.

2. Lack of Knowledge

If a receiver is unable to understand a message filled with technical information,

communication will break down.

For example- Unless a computer user knows something about the Windows
environment, he may have difficulty organizing files if given technical

instructions.
3. Lack of Communication Skills

Those who have weak reading and listening skills become ineffective

receivers. On the other hand, those who have a good professional vocabulary

and who concentrate on listening, have less trouble hearing and interpreting

good communication.

4. Emotional Distractions

An emotional individual may not be able to communicate well. His emotion my

create problem while decoding massage.

For example- If you receive a report from your supervisor regarding proposed

changes in work procedures and you do not particularly like your supervisor,

you may have trouble even reading the report objectively. You may read, not

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NAME : MOHAMMAD SYAFII
SECTION : A
TOPIC : 1.3 BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
DATE : OCTOBER 2015

objectively, but to find fault. You may misinterpret words and read negative

impressions between the lines. Consequently, you are likely to misunderstand

part or all of the report.

5. Information Overload

If you receive a message with too much information, you may tend to put up a

barrier because the amount of information is coming so fast that you may have

difficulty comfortably interpreting that information.

For example- If a salesman is sealing an electronic product with many features

and if he trying to explain them to his customers, sometime it become difficult

for the buyer to understand all the feature, because of vast information.

D. Responding Barriers

The communication cycle may be broken if feedback is unsuccessful.

1. No Provision for Feedback.

Since communication is a two-way process, the sender must search for a means of

getting a response from the receiver. If a team leader does not permit any

interruptions or questions while discussing projects, he may find that team members

may not completely understand what they are to do. When two communicators are

separated, care must be taken to ask for meaningful feedback. If the receiver does not

give feedback, the sender does not know if the communication is effective or not; also,

if the sender is not paying attention to the feedback, the communication will not be

effective.

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NAME : MOHAMMAD SYAFII
SECTION : A
TOPIC : 1.3 BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
DATE : OCTOBER 2015

2. Inadequate Feedback.

Delayed or judgmental feedback can interfere with good communication.For example-

If our supervisor gives us instructions in long, compound-complex sentences without

giving us a chance to speak, we may pretend to understand the instructions just so we

can leave the stress of the conversation. Because we may have not fully understood

the intended instructions, our performance may suffer.

How to Avoid Communication Barriers

Effective communication is an important process in everyday life. People must be able

to communicate effectively with each other on both a personal as well as business

level. Breakdowns in the communication processes can lead to benign

misunderstandings, or worse, a major disaster. Overcoming the many barriers to

communication is more a matter of common sense, practice and effort than any

specific skill. Essentially, being an effective communicator means having the skill to

recognize if and when there is a barrier to communication and being able to resolve it

1. Create a Good Atmosphere:

Communication is always difficult when the atmosphere is wrongwhen a person is

tired, hungry, angry, busy, or involved with friends. It is also harder to communicate

when we are surrounded by distractions that interrupt our conversation. Usually when

we try to communicate in such an environment, we are feeling impatient or even angry.

Something has happened that we have let bother us and we want it taken care of

immediately. When such feelings rule, the spirit of cooperation cannot exist and

confusion and hurt feelings often result. In communicating, we need to set aside

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NAME : MOHAMMAD SYAFII
SECTION : A
TOPIC : 1.3 BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
DATE : OCTOBER 2015

relaxed times when we are calm and receptive to the Spirit. The location, setting, or

circumstances should be comfortable, private, and conversation-conducive.

2. Choice of Words:

The words we use to express our thoughts or feelings can present one of the biggest

barriers to effective communication. Sometimes the words we use have a different

meaning to those listening than they do to us. At other times, we assume the person

we are talking to will understand concepts they have not yet learned about. The

message we wish to communicate must first be clear in our own minds. Then, we must

use the language that fits the experience and understanding level of our listener. A

message given to a fifteen-year-old would be vastly different than the same message

given to a four-year-old.

3. Audience Resistance:

People often form first impressions on the basis of external factors. If the first

impression is negative, you won't get the person's attention. Look for characteristics

of dress, speech and actions that may be turning people off. If your dress is too casual,

frivolous or distracting, you may be losing listeners. If your voice is strident, shrill or

guttural, people may find you unpleasant to listen to. In certain areas, regional accents

may turn people off. If you speak with a pronounced regional accent and are doing

business in a region where that accent is not commonly heard, you may have to look

for ways to overcome this barrier. You may want to work on acquiring a more generic

accent. Or you may want to spend some time cultivating the person's confidence.

4. Avoid nervousness:

The main enemy of a presenter is tension, which ruins the voice, posture, and

oftentimes your spontaneity. The voice becomes higher as the throat

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NAME : MOHAMMAD SYAFII
SECTION : A
TOPIC : 1.3 BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
DATE : OCTOBER 2015

tenses. Shoulders tighten up and the legs start to shake causing unsteadiness. Try

not to fight nerves, but welcome them instead Another strategy for overcoming nerves

involves performing relaxation exercises or taking deep breaths before you present as

a way to reduce tension.

5. Get rid of fear:

If you have fear while you face a huge audience in front you, you cant present it

properly and the audience will not get the message what you planned to deliver. This

fear is a barrier for your communication, so be confident and present it perfectly.

Before starting you can take deep breath, this will help you to get more relaxation.

6. Perfection:

Perfectionism severely inhibits communication. Your goal is to develop a good

presentation, not a perfect presentation. It is unrealistic to know or remember

everything about a topic. Instead, concentrate on developing techniques for

remembering main topics, managing memory lapses, and recovering from verbal

blunders

7. Use Your Body language effectively

Effective communication involves more than talking to your audience. Your body

language plays an important role in communication. Body language, proximity, and

eye contact are three main areas of focus in nonverbal communication. If you are

marinating this properly you can avoid the barriers of communication.

8. Facial Expressions:

Keep smile always in your face because it transmits friendliness, warmth, and

approachability. Smiling is often contagious and others will react favorably. They

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NAME : MOHAMMAD SYAFII
SECTION : A
TOPIC : 1.3 BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
DATE : OCTOBER 2015

will be more comfortable around you and more open to the information you are

offering.

9. Posture:

You communicate numerous messages by the way you hold yourself while

presenting. A person who is slouching or leaning with arms across their chest may

be perceived as being uninterested or unapproachable. Stand erect, while you

communicate with others. Speaking with your back turned or looking at the floor or

ceiling should be avoided as it communicates disinterest.

10. Gestures:

A lively speaking style captures attention, makes the material more interesting, and

facilitates understanding. Use natural movements to emphasize topics and free, easy

arm and hand movements to add personality to your presentation. If you fail to

gesture while speaking, you may be perceived as boring and stiff. Gesturing too often

can also be distracting for some learners.

11. Maintain eye contact:

While you converse with others keep an eye contact with them. This will help you to

build a rapport with the person with whom you communicate. When they feel that you

see them as individuals, they are more likely to trust you

12. Enhance Voice Quality:

Enhance your voice quality. If you are speaking very law, this will not be audible. Soft

or monotone voice can cause boredom or disinterest among listeners so try to

modulate your pitch. You can try both law and high pitch in your voice to keep them

away from monotonous.

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NAME : MOHAMMAD SYAFII
SECTION : A
TOPIC : 1.3 BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
DATE : OCTOBER 2015

References

W. Schramm (Ed.), the process and effects of communication (pp. 326). Urbana,
Illinois: University of Illinois Press.Barnlund, D. C. (2008).

A transactional model of communication (Eds.), Communication theory (2nd ed.,

pp47-57). New Brunswick, New Jersey

Harper, Douglas. "Communication". Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved 17-05-

2015

Richard P. (2001). Skills of workplace communication: a handbook for T & D

specialists and their organizations ([Online-Gauss.] ed.). West port, Conn.: Quorum
Books. ISBN 978-1-56720-362-2.

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